Steering Group reports on achievements of 2025 and challenges ahead in 2026
The Glenkens Community Action Plan Steering Group has published its 2025 Report on delivery of the Glenkens & District Community Action Plan (CAP).
Click to download.
The CAP Steering Group has been advocating for the rural voice to be heard at regional and national levels – working to address some of the challenges our rural communities face around depopulation, education and learning, housing and transport.
Through extensive engagement in the development of their Local Place Plans, communities across the Glenkens have clearly identified their priorities to address the needs of rural communities. This report highlights the huge amount of work done in 2025 towards achieving those priorities. 2026 will see a refresh of our Community Action Plan to provide the framework for community development delivery in the Glenkens over the next 5 years.
We already know, however, that addressing these priorities effectively will require the public sector to recognise the impact of depopulation and to collaborate more with community and third sector organisations to address common needs of health, education, employment, transport and housing in rural communities. Multi-year resourcing would increase development capacity of communities and mitigate the dependence on volunteers. If addressing depopulation is priority, it is time for rural communities to be empowered and resourced to achieve this.
Some highlights from the Glenkens Community Action Plan Steering Group Annual Report 2025 include:
Case Study within D&G Council commissioned report on Rural Depopulation (publication expected on 11th February 2026)
Supporting communities to undertake Local Place Plans
Publication of a report on ‘Education and Learning in the Glenkens’
Delivery of ‘Land Notes’ – the first Glenkens Land Use Festival
Delivery of the Glenkens Skills and Jobs Fair
Response to the consultation on D&G Council budget proposals
The Glenkens Community Action Plan Steering Group thanks both the Glenkens and District Trust, working in partnership with Foundation Scotland, for their financial support across our communities and the Glenkens Community and Arts Trust for their delivery work as an anchor organisation.